Researchers are studying whether special nutrition drinks can help people with throat cancer who need surgery. The POINT trial is testing if these immune-boosting drinks work better than regular food during cancer treatment. Patients get either the special drinks or eat normally while receiving chemotherapy and radiation before surgery. The study wants to see if the nutrition drinks reduce complications after surgery. This research could help doctors better prepare cancer patients for major operations and improve their recovery.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: Whether special nutrition drinks help throat cancer patients have fewer problems after surgery
  • Who participated: People with throat cancer who can have surgery and need chemotherapy and radiation treatment first
  • Key finding: The study is still ongoing - results are not available yet, with completion expected by end of 2025
  • What it means for you: If you’re facing cancer surgery, ask your doctor about nutrition support during treatment, but wait for final results

The Research Details

This is a randomized controlled trial, which means researchers randomly put patients into two groups to compare treatments fairly. One group gets special immune-boosting nutrition drinks during their cancer treatment, while the other group eats their regular diet. Both groups receive the same cancer treatments - chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery. The study happens at multiple hospitals to make sure the results apply to different patients and medical centers.

This type of study design is the gold standard for testing whether treatments work. By randomly assigning patients to groups, researchers can be more confident that any differences they see are due to the nutrition drinks, not other factors.

This is a well-designed study with multiple hospitals participating and independent safety monitoring. However, it’s ‘open-label,’ meaning patients and doctors know which treatment they’re getting, which could influence results.

What the Results Show

The study is still collecting data, so no results are available yet. The researchers have made some changes to improve the study, including adding new safety rules and extending the time between radiation treatment and surgery. They’re also looking at additional factors like gut bacteria changes and traces of cancer cells in the blood.

The updated protocol now includes studying how the nutrition drinks might affect the bacteria in patients’ digestive systems and their body’s chemical processes. They’re also checking for tiny amounts of cancer cells that might remain after treatment.

Previous smaller studies have suggested that immune-boosting nutrition might help cancer patients, but this larger trial will provide more definitive answers about whether these drinks really make a difference for throat cancer patients specifically.

Since the study isn’t finished, we don’t know the limitations of the actual results yet. However, the open-label design means patients know what treatment they’re getting, which might affect their expectations and reported outcomes.

The Bottom Line

Wait for the final results before making decisions based on this research. If you’re a cancer patient, discuss nutrition support options with your medical team, as they can recommend appropriate nutrition strategies based on current evidence.

People with throat cancer facing surgery, their families, and healthcare providers treating cancer patients should pay attention to these results when they become available.

Final results are expected after 2025, so it may be 1-2 years before we know if these nutrition drinks truly help cancer patients.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Track daily protein intake, weight changes, and energy levels during cancer treatment
  • Work with a dietitian to optimize nutrition during cancer treatment, focusing on adequate protein and calories
  • Monitor weight, appetite, and treatment side effects weekly during cancer therapy to catch nutrition problems early

This information is for educational purposes only and should not replace professional medical advice. Cancer patients should always consult with their healthcare team before making any changes to their treatment or nutrition plan.